* Cases are up 26 percent compared to last Friday. Hospitalizations, a lagging indicator, are up 19 percent. The last time we were in the low 700s on hospitalizations while cases were rising was July 25, 2021, and admissions were up by 20 percent from the previous week. The resulting increase eventually led to a late summer surge, topping out at about 3,000 hospitalizations by early September. However, we now have widespread availability of medicine to counter-act the virus. Let’s just hope the supplies hold out. IDPH…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 24,646 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 46 deaths since April 22, 2022.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,138,682 cases, including 33,614 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic.
As of last night, 732 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 75 patients were in the ICU and 32 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 193 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans.
IDPH officials noted that the case rate has been slowly rising in the state and five Illinois counties are now rated by the CDC as having a Medium Community Level of COVID-19. These counties are DuPage, Lake, Champaign, Logan and McLean. At the Medium Community Level, persons who are elderly or immunocompromised (at risk of severe outcomes) are advised to wear a mask in indoor public places. In addition, they should make sure to get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines or get their 2nd booster, if eligible.
IDPH Acting Director Amaal Tokars said the State of Illinois remains strongly positioned to respond in the event of a new COVID-19 surge. The department has been supporting pharmacies and healthcare providers in efforts to increase their inventories of the various FDA-authorized treatment. There are over 2,200 treatment locations in Illinois - including all the major retail pharmacies - and that over 96.7% of the state’s population is within a 10-mile radius of one of these locations.
“The most important point we want to stress about COVID-19 treatments is that timing is essential, and the public should know that it is critically important to consult a healthcare provider and seek treatment immediately if you test positive,” Tokars said. “The treatments are widely available with a prescription, and they are much more effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths when they are taken early in the course of the illness.”
A total of 21,871,464 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 15,913 doses. Since April 22, 2022, 111,391 doses were reported administered in Illinois. Of Illinois’ total population, more than 76% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, more than 68% of Illinois’ total population is fully vaccinated, and more than 51% of the vaccinated population is boosted according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data indicates that the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from COVID-19 is much higher for unvaccinated people than for those who are up to date on their vaccinations.
All data are provisional and are subject to change. Additional information and COVID-19 data can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html.
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
The federal government has established a new website that provides an all-purpose toolkit with information on how to obtain masks, treatment, vaccines and testing resources for all areas of the country at: https://www.covid.gov/.
Did you get your second booster?
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:28 pm:
==Did you get your second booster?==
I’m under 50, but immunocomprised (but not diagnosed officially as such, I consider myself to be). Just scheduled my booster for early next week.
- Jibba - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:30 pm:
Planning on it, but wanting to do it strategically so I am fully revved up at the right time, like as we go into another surge or if I have to travel by air.
- Big Dipper - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:31 pm:
Got it two weeks ago.
- Montrose - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:31 pm:
Under 50 and hoping they give the ok for my age group soon.
- SouthernCentrist - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:33 pm:
Not yet eligble for my second booster. Under 50 and got a Moderna booster with my original J&J. If/when they change eligiblity requirements to include me I’ll schedule it immediately.
- Baloneymous - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:34 pm:
Got my 2nd booster on April 1 but from what I’ve read the 2nd Moderna booster is only good for a couple months and I’m a month in.
- Cheryl44 - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:34 pm:
I know a few people who’ve had shot #4, but they’re transplant recipients or otherwise severely immunocompromised and over 65 years old.
- thisjustinagain - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:37 pm:
57/male: 1st booster November 2021. Awaiting further clarification as to whether I should go cross-vaccine for 2nd booster(had Pfizer 3x), as Moderna is reported to offer longer-lasting protection in one study. Still masking and avoiding crowds. Sorry, people, the war against Covid ain’t over.
- Flapdoodle - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:37 pm:
First day I was eligible — I think boosters in some form are likely to become SOP in not too distant future.
- Wensicia - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:38 pm:
I received my second booster 3 weeks ago.
The high school where I work has seen a steady increase in cases over the last 2 weeks (Lake County), and we’re back to mandating masks.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:39 pm:
===Did you get your second booster?===
I had my annual physical last week and had a long conversation with my doctor about this. He did not recommend it, and he had a long explanation for why he thought it wouldn’t help much. Too detailed to get into here, but I found it persuasive.
The gist of his argument was that the MNRA vaccine was designed to target a protein spike in the original COVID-19 virus. His review of the data leads him to believe the BA2 mutation does not have the same spike as the original virus and therefore wouldn’t be effective. At least I think that’s what he told me.
According to him, Omicron and subsequent mutations spread faster but are less virulent than the original. Even though I’m over 50 and have some risk factors, he didn’t think I would benefit from getting it.
I have an open mind. If cases continue to climb, I may get it anyway. But so far, I’m listening to my health care professional. I like him and trust him, but it’s not blind obedience either.
- Dog Lover - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:40 pm:
Not yet…hasn’t been 6 months since the first booster. Plan to, though.
- thoughts matter - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:40 pm:
Not yet. What I read about it said you could get one if you were over 50,. Didn’t say you should if you didn’t have other issues. The verdict seems murky on whether it’s worth it in a time of fewer cases. I will probably wait until fall unless the numbers seem to warrant it before then. I am over 50, but I still get the sense that it’s not really justified yet.
- wildcat12 - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:40 pm:
Can’t get one yet as I’m under 50, but I will as soon as it’s approved for my age group.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:46 pm:
Traveled, came home Tuesday, isolating, testing tomorrow.
Have I gotten a second booster? No
Will I? Yes?
As soon as I am “eligible”.
I was in a place in this trip where the idea of Covid was first a conspiracy and now folks are “way over it”, making me uncomfortable, not that no one was in masks, or crowds, or anything “no” during the height of the pandemic or before vaccinations… I was uncomfortable for others still not vaccinated and luckily not been infected yet. High risk folks. This virus is still very much a dangerous virus, watching others take chances always makes me pause.
- Demoralized - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:52 pm:
I’m not eligible yet, so no, but if I were eligible I’m not sure I would get it yet. My wife can get it but she is also holding off for now and doesn’t know if she will get it.
I’m sure I’ll get another shot at some point as I would guess they’ll eventually decide this is a yearly type deal.
- Demoralized - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
==but immunocomprised (but not diagnosed officially as such, I consider myself to be)==
Your “self diagnosis” is crap. Unless you meet one of these definitions from the CDC then you aren’t for Covid purposes:
-Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
-Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
-Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
-Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
-Advanced or untreated HIV infection
-Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress their immune response
- Politics Drives Policy - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:01 pm:
We are expected to handle a surge because it is a bad year for Dems across the board. There I fixed it…
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:03 pm:
===…because it is a bad year for Dems across the board.===
Are you vaccinated and boosted?
Why or why not?
- Nick Name - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:05 pm:
Just scheduled my second booster - upon reading this update.
- park - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:07 pm:
Yep, first week I was eligible. The articles were all “experts are divided” but bottom line, it couldn’t hurt and probably a little help. I had no reactions to the first three. If people were negatively affected before (fatigue etc.), I could understand avoiding the second booster. But I intend to stay ‘vaxxed to the max’.
- Nick - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:22 pm:
Test
- Nick - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:24 pm:
Somehow my original comment
Doesn’t post
Hmm
- LeeEliasFBombs - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:28 pm:
“Unless you meet one of these definitions from the CDC. . .”
Do other conditions like asthma that are listed by the CDC not fit your online medical degree or do you just like jumping to conclusions about other poster’s health? Additionally, the CDC very clearly states that the list “does not include all possible conditions that put you at higher risk”.
The CDC updated the page with listing of underlying medical conditions today. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
- Red Ketcher - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:36 pm:
Yes
Old Enough
Got it right away
Don’t Play Roulette
- MSIX - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
Yep, just today. Both of us.
- JS Mill - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
Yep. Kept me healthy thus far, why wouldn’t I?
- JoanP - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 2:56 pm:
Not yet. I’m planning on a trip abroad in late summer, so I’m waiting until closer to when I leave.
- Homebody - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
I’ve got 3 Moderna in me. I’m not over 50, nor immunocompromised, so no #4 yet.
- SomeGuy - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 3:12 pm:
“The CDC updated the page with listing of underlying medical conditions today”
The list includes BMI over 25, current or former smoker, heart disease, ADHD, people who are inactive, type 2 diabetes, etc.
I think the better question is who DOESN’T meet the CDC guidelines for High Risk.
- Facts Matter - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 3:25 pm:
Got my second booster yesterday. A bit more fatigued than normal.
- Steve Polite - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 4:02 pm:
Underlying Medical Conditions and Immunocompromised
These are two different categories on the CDC Covid website. It took me all of a few minutes to find two web pages, one for each.
- Stix Hix - Friday, Apr 29, 22 @ 4:12 pm:
Yes, both of us, the first week it was available.